§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary how the Congested Districts Board defend their practice of retaining grass farms on their hands for years, using them as bases for cattle jobbing, and neither build houses nor allow houses to be built on the land, while young people have to emigrate from the neighbourhood for want of land; and if he will say why the Board have treated in this way and withheld from the people during the last seven years the Tubberory ranch of 500 acres on Major Frenche's late estate, county Roscommon?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board purchase untenanted land whenever an opportunity of doing so on reasonable terms occurs. They retain the land until they have purchased the small holdings of those who require new or enlarged holdings. Meanwhile it is necessary to utilise the land so as to pay the interest on the purchase money and the outgoings. The lands of Tubberory were vested in the Board in July, 1906. A relatively small amount of the land has been added to existing small holdings, and the arrangements for the remainder of the lands are at present under consideration.